Philippe Coutinho: It’s time the former Liverpool playmaker started proving his worth at Barcelona

Philippe Coutinho: It’s time the former Liverpool playmaker started proving his worth at Barcelona
On the one-year anniversary of signing for Barcelona for a mega 142m, Philippe Coutinho kicked off his evening by sitting on the bench and watching a starting place pass him by – for the fourth league game in a row.A natural point of reflection thanks to the date, you have to wonder what the Brazilian was thinking when he got the team news for the La Liga trip to Getafe.Perhaps his mind also wandered back to England, where Liverpool are mounting their most serious challenge for the Premier League title in years – lying four points clear of closest rivals Manchester City.5

The Brazilian made the switch from Anfield to the Camp Nou a year ago, but has struggled to make a big impact

Many expected the departures of the likes of Luis Suarez and Coutinho to send the Reds spiralling backwards – but the polar opposite has occured.It has been an odd 12 months for the attacker, defying the trajectory that seemed the most logical.Coutinho has gone from exceeding expectations in his first six months in Catalonia where it would have been natural for him to struggle to adapt to the rhythm of a new club and competition, mid-season to gradually losing importance in the squad dynamic, and not finding his form in his second term.On Sunday, El Mundo labelled it Coutinhos endless fall (Spaniards do have something of a penchant for the dramatic).5

Many expected the departures of Luis Suarez and then Coutinho to Barcelona to send Liverpool backwards

In a more balanced look in AS, Santi Gimnez pondered over how the Coutinho effect had now dried up, pointing to the eight goals and five assists the No 7 produced across 18 league games in his first half a season.If he could produce that after coming half-way through the season, it wasnt crazy to expect a step forward this season, and for the player to cement himself as a star, he observed.Rather than him being particularly bad this season, Coutinhos problem is perhaps more that in his first five months with Barca he was abnormally good, thus exceeding expectations5

However, the Reds have emerged as serious title challengers without the pair

It is difficult to recall a game this term where he has been notably poor.There hasnt been any disappearing and lack of showing for the ball, or confusion with the system that normally marks a player out as clearly not Barcelona material.The most obvious, concrete issue is that his impact in front of goal the attribute he stood out for above any other after signing last year has dried up dramatically.Since scoring and producing in a generally excellent all-round performance as Barca thrashed arch rivals Real Madrid 5-1 in October, the 26-year-old has failed to find the net again.Its a shift thats particularly striking; considering he had scored five times in just over two months up to that point.

---

MORE: COUTINHO AND SUAREZ STAR AS BARCELONA THRASH REAL MADRID AT NOU CAMP

---

5

Coutinho’s sudden dip in form came following his exceptional performance in the El Clasico in October

The biggest beneficiary of his sudden lack of cutting edge has been Ousmane Dembl, who, whether he turns up for training or not, just cant stop scoring big goals at key moments.With coach Erneste Valverde treating Coutinho as more of a forward than a midfielder, there isnt room for the two players in a 4-3-3 system, and Dembl is now the clear first choice. On merit.Ironically, Coutinho can probably thank Dembls off-pitch issues for ensuring that his own struggles have not been more of a story until now. With the headlines and sporting pages at the tail end of 2018 adequately filled with the Frenchmans baffling tardiness, the 142m signing hitting a dry patch didnt really even register until the anniversary of his arrival drew close on the horizon.Its a story now, though, and the fact Valverde didnt think Coutinho would be worth a start against notoriously disciplined Getafe, where his shooting from distance could have been an obvious tool to exploit, seems significant.

PHILLIPPE COUTINHO'S BARCELONA RECORD

La Liga2018-19: 4 goals and 1 assist in 15 appearances2017-18: 8 goals and 5 assists in 18 appearancesChampions League2018-19:1 goals in 6 matches5

The Frenchman 21, joined in August 2017 and has been directly involved in 15 goals in 23 appearances this season

Significant too is that Barca got the job done without him.The Catalans were 2-1 up by the time the former Liverpool man finally entered the field of play with less than 10 minutes remaining.Coutinho was supposed to be much more than an extremely expensive substitute who merely sees out games.Not since his last move to the city of Barcelona, when Inter shipped him out on loan to Espanyol as a youngster, has the Brazilian been asked to prove his worth to the extent he is being asked now.The good news for him is that with the Copa del Rey and Champions League resuming shortly, he will have the opportunities.In the ruthless world of Barcelona you have to take them quickly though – before things move on without you.

---

More protests could happen if Charlton owner stays, claim supporters' trust Liverpool fans laugh at England supporters for 'pathetic' booing of Van Dijk Roland Duchatelet says Charlton
~ West Ham defender Pablo Zabaleta says he's supporting

---

One News Page United Kingdom > Sports News > Most shocking transfers, including Celtic hero Mo Johnston joining Rangers and Sol Campbell going from Tottenham to Arsenal Most shocking transfers, including Celtic hero Mo Johnston joining Rangers and Sol Campbell going from Tottenham to Arsenal
Football's most shocking transfers ever | FourFourTwo

---

Leicester City v Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Carrington training plans wrecked by snow ahead of King Power Stadium clash The Norwegian was forced to cancel training ahead of the
~ Leicester City v Manchester United: Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's

---

Tottenham Hotspur vs Liverpool: Spurs have NEVER won in Spain and must end 37-year hoodoo to win Champions League Cricket World Cup: Steve Harmison explains why it's now or never for England Maurizio Sarri: Chelsea boss says inability to practice set-pieces was the reason why he stormed out of final training session before Europa League final

---

LATEST The Gunners' transfer business Lacazette wanted in Spain, plus latest on Zaha and Ajax star Ziyech. Lacazette wanted in Spain, plus latest on Zaha and
Arsenal transfer news: Lacazette wanted in Spai | SportSpyder

---

Everton vs Arsenal: Emmanuel Frimpong slams Gunners during

---

Crystal Palace are interested in re-signing Yannick Bolasie from Everton, according to a report from Football Insider. It is claimed that the Eagles are preparing a 'formal move' to land the DR Congo international, who spent the first half of the season on loan at Aston Villa.
What Everton boss Marco Silva has said about Yannick Bolasie

---

West Brom 2-2 Aston Villa: Dubious Jay Rodriguez goal denies

---

Former Chelsea and England left-back Ashley Cole has been released by Major League Soccer side LA Galaxy after his contract at the club expired. Galaxy opted not to resign the 37-year-old Cole, along with seven other players.
MLS: Ashley Cole released by LA Galaxy as part of year-end

---

Former Manchester United star Paul Parker has blasted manager Jose Mourinho for his bottle-smashing celebration during Tuesday night's Champions League victory over Young Boys. The Red Devils boss celebrated Marouane Fellaini's match winning injury-time goal by picking up a water bottle carrier and hurling it to the floor.
Paul Parker - talkSPORT

---

Chelsea's potential new home kit for 2019-20 season leaked complete with bizarre print 'inspired by Stamford Bridge' A leak of Chelsea's potential new home strip for next season has emerged online
Chelsea 2019/20 home kit leaked online - caughtoffside.com

---

Chelsea latest news: Gianfranco Zola reveals how Gonzalo Higuain ignored order during FA Cup win 3-0 Willian opened the scoring from the penalty spot in the 26th minute and sealed the Blues
Willian reveals what he told Gonzalo Higuain before penalty

---

Liverpool defender Joe Gomez 'in same world class category as Raphael Varane and Bobby Moore' The former Charlton starlet has become a key man for club and country By Damian Mannion
Liverpool defender Joe Gomez compared to Bobby Moore for the

---

Former Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho has aimed a veiled dig at Gary Neville and Paul Scholes following their forgettable forays into coaching, with the Portuguese stating that you have
Jose Mourinho hits back at Scholes: 'You have it or you don't'

---